WARNING: Distressing content.
A teenage boy has been arrested after a horrific multiple stabbing incident at a Western Sydney church in which four people were injured, including a priest and a bishop.
The incident occurred at Wakeley’s Christ The Good Shepherd Church on Box Rd just before 7.10pm on Monday.
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Tense scenes erupted following the alleged stabbing of Christian leader Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, Father Isaac Royel and two churchgoers during the livestreamed service.
Emmanuel was taken to Liverpool Hospital where he remains in a serious, but stable condition.
Royel was also taken to hospital, in a stable condition.
Four people were treated by ambulance paramedics at the scene.
Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
Following the livestream, an angry mob of hundreds descended on the church, where riot police forcibly moved the crowd on after police cars were smashed.
Two police officers were also taken to hospital after being injured by members of the crowd who broke into “a number of houses to gain weapons to throw at the police”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns urged calm on Monday night after the incident, with police suggesting images of the mayhem at the church had sparked the furious community response.
“Those violent pictures are probably what caused the uproar in the community — people saw that, responded and unfortunately we ended up with a public order incident,” NSW acting Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland told reporters.
The suspect was “known to police,” Holland said, and not a regular attendee at the church.
Minns said the scene was disturbing but urged calm, adding that he convened a meeting of faith leaders representing religious communities across western Sydney late on Monday night.
He said they “endorsed and supported a unanimous condemnation of violence in any form, called for the community to follow first responder and police instructions and called for calm in the community”.
“We’re calling on everyone to act with kindness and respect for each other,” he said.
The church said Bishop Emmanuel and a senior priest were in a stable condition and also appealed for calm.
“We ask for your prayers at this time,” the church said in a statement posted on social media.
“We also kindly ask anyone at the church to leave in peace as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, teaches us.”
Holland said a 15-year-old suspect “sustained injuries to his hand as a result of his actions”.
He said the stabbing suspect was held down by parishioners of the church until police arrived.
Terrified worshippers have shared their prayers for their beloved priest.
“It was pretty bad,” a worshipper told 7NEWS.
“A lot of people are angry at the guy who (allegedly) tried to hurt our bishop and our priest.
“He’s our bishop, and we love him very much … we hope he’s OK.”
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Australian Muslim community said they “unequivocally condemn” the attacks on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.
“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders,” they said in a statement on Monday night.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Emmanuel and the victims, and we pray for their speedy recovery.
“We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and the security of all Australians.”
The incident comes two days after a stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction left six people dead and a dozen injured, including a baby girl. Attacker Joel Cauchi was shot dead during the rampage on Saturday.
There is no suggestion the two events are linked.
– With AAP
